More than just helmets at stake
I would like to comment on your editorial “On helmets and pandering” which appeared in your Wednesday edition. I believe your intent was to discredit two fine Democratic legislators, Reps. Peter Daley and Larry Roberts, rather than enlighten your readers about the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education and helmet laws. Your article states, “There is always a segment of voters who focus solely on one issue.” A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania was involved in 24 separate pieces of legislation in this legislative session. Earlier this month the governor signed two bills that were initiated by the A.B.A.T.E. organization. House Bill 2164 creates additional funding for the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program. This money will be used to train more riders throughout the commonwealth. The funding is paid for by an increase in the surcharge on motorcycle licenses and permits. A.B.A.T.E. believes that the increased funding for the program is the best way to prevent motorcycling accidents, injuries and deaths.
The governor also signed Senate Bill 238, which included a provision to allow more than one motorcycle to park in a space without being arbitrarily ticketed.
A.B.A.T.E. also has legislation pending in the Senate to create a Veterans License plate for motorcycles and another bill that has already passed the House to remove any height restrictions on handlebars.
Representative Daley introduced House Bill 1798, which would reduce tolls paid by motorcyclists using the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Hardly sounds like a one-issue organization to me.
In reference to the state’s mandatory helmet law, 30 states presently allow adult motorcyclists the choice of when and where to wear helmets. A.B.A.T.E. is a strong advocate of motorcycle rider education, improved licensing and testing, and increased public awareness; all are measures proven to reduce accidents and improve safety. This comprehensive approach has contributed significantly to a dramatic improvement in motorcycle safety over the years. Such programs did not exist 30 years ago, when it was first determined that mandatory helmet use laws were the panacea for improving motorcycle safety.
For the record, Rep. Larry Roberts is a co-sponsor on House Bill 1291, a bill to repeal the state’s mandatory helmet law. Quite frankly, A.B.A.T.E. is not concerned over who co-sponsors legislation. All that matters in Harrisburg is when the votes are counted. So far Reps. Larry Roberts and Peter Daley have been there in the end for Pennsylvania’s 750,000 motorcyclists.
Gerald Garbutt, president
Fayette County Chapter
A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania
Smock
Editor’s note: Several other similar comments from A.B.A.T.E. members were sent to our online edition and can be viewed by clicking on the editorial “On helmets and pandering.”
Money shouldn’t matter to teachers?
If you wanted to get rich, you should not have gone into the teaching profession. A true teacher is a special person who cares about educating our young people, not about having the most expensive home, driving the fanciest car, or wearing the nicest clothes. A true teacher doesn’t mind giving up some of his or her own time to help students. A true teacher does not walk out of the classroom and say “I won’t go back until I get what I want.”
My grandmother was a teacher and so was my father-in-law and neither one of them would have ever abandoned their students.
Some of you are complaining that you have children of your own to support. Let me ask you, if your child said to you, “I want an increase in my allowance and I won’t do my chores till I get it,” what would do? What you are doing is no different. You are acting like a bunch of spoiled babies throwing a temper tantrum till you get your way. Is this what you want to teach your students?
Your actions are causing undue hardship on the parents of many of your students, yet you expect them to support you. Also, have you even considered the other people you are putting out of work? I am referring to the bus and van drivers that transport your students to and from school. These people have families to support, too, and you have selfishly taken away their livelihood.
It is time you realize the far-reaching effects of your actions. You need to think about others, not just yourselves.
Bette Alexander
Denbo
Help forthcoming in stocking Yough
The Yough Walleye Association would like to thank state Sen. Rich Kasunic for all the effort and time he has dedicated to helping our club.
For the past eight years he has worked with our club to try to get walleye stocked in the Youghiogheny Reservoir. Through his and our club’s efforts, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission has finally agreed to stock the Yough for the next four years.
They already put 10,000 fingerlings in this year. After the stocking program is done they will do another survey to see if this has helped the walleye fishery any and then come up with a longer lasting plan for the lake.
The Yough Walleye Association is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1994 to help improve the walleye fishery in the lake.
We started with 18 charter members and now have 265. We have stocked $60,000 in walleye in the lake. This benefits all anglers that fish the Yough Reservoir. And thanks to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission for their generosity and concern for the Yough Lake fishery.
Joe Daveler
president
Yough Walleye Association